O Belgium - O mother dear
To you we stretch our hearts and arms,
With blood to spill for you, O fatherland!
We swear with one cry - You shall live!
You shall live, so great and beautiful,
And your invincible unity
Shall have for device immortal
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
Shall have for device immortal
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
The King, and Law, and Liberty!
The King, and Law, and Liberty!

-------------------------------------

Historical Background

The National Anthem of Belgium titled “La Brabanconne” has three official versions- Dutch, French and German, all three being the official languages of Belgium. The lyrics of the ‘'La Brabanconne” was written by a young revolutionary with the pseudonym ‘Jenneval' and music was composed by Francois Van Campenhout, a violinist. Jenneval's real name was Hippolyte Louis-Alexandre Dechet, who was a French actor and poet. The French version of the National Anthem of Belgium was formally adopted in 1860 after being edited by Prime Minister Charles Rogier. The Dutch version of the National anthem was adopted in 1938.

It is to be noted that only the fourth stanza of Rogier's edited version of the National Anthem can be regarded as official as per the verdict from the Ministry of the Interior, dated 8 August, 1921

As the country's national symbol, the National anthem of Belgium is sung with much pride and reverence on events of national significance.